Chapter 1507: Chapter 1605: Pill Crisis

For the overwhelming majority of martial artists in the Nine Countries, talk of Long-lived Ones and Immortal Champions is no different from myths and legends, out of reach and sublime beyond measure.

Most martial artists strive for strength, and pills are a crucial part of this endeavor.

Every sect, every family, even independent martial artists require the support of pills to train to higher realms and harness greater power.

The Pill Alliance, a collective of pill refiners, provides a large volume of pills to all corners of the Nine Countries, profiting from this trade.

But now, due to various conflicts, the Pill Alliance has fallen out with Qing Nation. The nation cracks down on and ostracizes pill refiners from the Pill Alliance, which in a fury, ceases providing pills to Qing Nation entirely, no matter how high a price the sects and families of Qing Nation are willing to pay.

This has thrown Qing Nation into chaos.

How numerous are the martial artists of Qing Nation? Countless, and their daily consumption of pills represents a colossal figure.

No power other than the Pill Alliance can supply such a vast quantity of pills.

As a consequence of the Pill Alliance’s refusal to supply pills to the martial artists of Qing Nation, a medicinal crisis has erupted amongst them.

For instance, a Grade 2 Qi Nurturing Pill, which used to be quite common and usable by martial artists below the Spirit Vein realm, has now become rare and highly sought after within Qing Nation.

The pill crisis leaves the martial artists of Qing Nation in a state of unease, unable to train properly without pills, and over time, inevitably more issues will arise.

In response to this crisis, the royal family of Qing Nation resolutely acted, selling the royal stores of pills to several major sects and powers at a much higher price than usual.

This measure has indeed provided temporary relief, allowing these forces to avoid the immediate shortage of pills.

But that’s just it–only a few major sects and powers, while the myriad of martial artists in Qing Nation are countless and many are left without pills.

Furthermore, the approach of the Qing Nation royal family has led to dissatisfaction among many martial artists.

After all, the royal family provided pills only to those few sects and did not make pills available to all martial artists of Qing Nation, creating a sense of favoritism that cannot help but cause resentment.

Criticism of the royal family is higher than ever, and many martial artists of Qing Nation have had to pay a hefty price to obtain pills, eventually leading a number to leave for Tang Country.

Inside the Sky Open Palace, the Crown Prince of Qing Nation sits on the Dragon Throne with a resolute face, expressionlessly surveying the ministers below.

“Crown Prince, the pill crisis in our Qing Nation is becoming increasingly severe. Many disciples from the four great sects are deserting, and even our Great Qin Army is about to face the issue of not having pills to distribute,” a middle-aged minister reports to the Crown Prince.

Pills are not just essential for martial artists but are also crucial for the military.

Whether healing pills or those for training, the military’s demand has always been extremely high.

Ordinary martial artists might endure a shortage of pills, but the Great Qin Army is different. Without pills, it could easily affect the military’s combat effectiveness and morale.

“Crown Prince, the problem is not just the shortage of pills–the western border of Qing Nation is facing another issue. Demon Beast tribes seem to be gathering nearby, likely to our disadvantage. We must be vigilant,” another figure clad in battle armor steps forward to say.

“What? General Liu, is what you’re saying true?”

“Are there really Demon Beast tribes gathering beyond our western border? Could they be preparing to attack our Qing Nation?”

“Yuan Country has already gone to war with the Demon Beast clans. I fear that our Qing Nation will not be able to escape the flames of war either.”

…

Upon General Liu’s report, a buzz of discussion immediately erupted in the court, with many ministers of Qing Nation looking deeply troubled.

Presently, Qing Nation is truly beset with trouble both inside and out. In addition, with the Qin Emperor in seclusion and not emerging, although the Crown Prince is exceptionally capable, his handling of matters is still not as shrewd as the Qin Emperor, and often he seems too forceful, causing situations to worsen.

“Do we have a response from the Pill Alliance?” The Crown Prince asked, his voice resonating powerfully. Though only in his thirties, he already exhibited a considerable aura of authority.

“This old servant has already dealt with the Pill Alliance, but they are still unwilling to provide Pills to our Qing Nation, and also…” the speaking elder said, then hesitated, cautiously glancing at the Crown Prince.

“But there’s no harm in speaking.” The Crown Prince frowned.

“The Pill Alliance demands that the Crown Prince personally go to the Ancient Pill Court to offer an apology.” The white-haired minister spoke, his voice quite a bit softer, but all the ministers of Qing Nation present could hear.

“How preposterous! They’re actually demanding our Crown Prince to apologize. Does the Pill Alliance really think they are still as powerful as before?”

“The Pill Alliance, setting like the western sun, dares to be so presumptuous!”

“The Pill Alliance is utterly disrespectful!”

…

With these words from the white-haired minister, many ministers were indignant, condemning the Pill Alliance.

However, there were also some ministers who kept silent, inwardly feeling that if the Crown Prince were to apologize, the medicinal crisis of Qing Nation could be resolved, avoiding an even more dire situation.

But even though these ministers thought so, none dared to speak out. Everyone knew the Crown Prince was hot-tempered, asking him to bow to the Pill Alliance was simply impossible, and anyone who dared to propose such would certainly be courting disaster.

“Heh, without the Pill Alliance, is our Qing Nation really unable to secure enough Pills?” The Crown Prince sneered.

“May I know if the Crown Prince has any insights?” The white-haired minister eagerly asked.

The Crown Prince looked at him: “Contact the Long Family.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces showed shock.

“Your Highness, do you mean to suggest purchasing Pills from alchemy noble families like the Long Family?” The white-haired minister was shrewd, immediately grasping the implication in the Crown Prince’s words.

“Exactly. Since the Pill Alliance is ungrateful, Qing Nation will completely sever ties with them. I believe the Long Family, for one, should be quite willing to form an alliance with Qing Nation,” said the Crown Prince.

The ministers below had varied expressions. Seeking Pills from alchemy noble families like the Long Family was indeed an option, but doing so might truly leave no room for reconciliation with the Pill Alliance.

But after the royal family of Qing Nation met with the executives of the Long Family, they found that things were not as straightforward as imagined.

The noble alchemy families led by the Long Family did not give a clear response. They neither refused Qing Nation’s request nor accepted it, seemingly just playing for time or stalling.

The noble alchemy families could afford to wait, but Qing Nation could not. The longer the delay, the more severe Qing Nation’s medicinal crisis became.

No one expected the Long Family to adopt such an attitude, leaving all parties unable to surmise their intentions.

ps: The second update is here, continuing to write, will have dinner after the third update is out.